Oregon Lawmakers Convene for Urgent Special Session on Wildfire Recovery Funding

Oregon lawmakers are set to convene on Thursday for a special session aimed at addressing the urgent need for emergency funding to tackle the aftermath of the state's devastating 2024 wildfire season. With wildfires still raging in California and other western states, Oregon finds itself grappling with the financial fallout from a catastrophic year that has already seen costs soar to over $350 million—a staggering figure that marks the most expensive wildfire season in the state's history. Governor Tina Kotek has emphasized the necessity for prompt action, stating that while more than half of these expenses will eventually be reimbursed by the federal government, the state must find immediate resources to cover outstanding bills incurred during extensive firefighting efforts. “The unprecedented 2024 wildfire season required all of us to work together to protect life, land, and property, and that spirit of cooperation must continue in order to meet our fiscal responsibilities,” Kotek remarked in a recent news release. The wildfires this year have claimed at least 42 homes and have devastated vast areas of grazing and range lands, particularly in eastern Oregon. Notably, the Durkee Fire, which engulfed approximately 460 square miles near the Oregon-Idaho border, briefly held the title as the largest wildfire in the nation. Kotek’s declaration of a state of emergency in July and her invocation of the Emergency Conflagration Act 17 times throughout the season underscore the urgency and severity of the situation. For this special session, the governor has requested lawmakers to approve $218 million intended for the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal. This funding is crucial for continuing operations, compensating contractors who assisted in firefighting efforts, and ensuring that the state can adequately respond to ongoing and future threats. Looking ahead, Kotek's administration is also preparing for the upcoming legislative session beginning in January, during which lawmakers will need to explore sustainable funding solutions for wildfire management. The governor is advocating for a $130 million increase in wildfire readiness and mitigation funding within the state's new two-year budget cycle. Furthermore, she has proposed redirecting $150 million from the state’s rainy day fund, on a one-time basis, to bolster fire agencies as they work to suppress wildfires. While the 2024 wildfire season stands out for its unprecedented costs and the extent of land affected, it is essential to remember the historical context of Oregon's recent wildfire challenges. The 2020 wildfire season, which resulted in the tragic loss of nine lives and the destruction of over 5,000 homes, looms large in the collective memory of the state. As climate change exacerbates drought conditions and increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the western United States, it is clear that states like Oregon must prepare for an ongoing battle against nature's fury. As the special session begins, the focus will be on immediate funding needs, but the broader conversation about long-term strategies to combat the escalating wildfire threat will undoubtedly shape the legislative agenda in the coming months. Lawmakers will face the critical task of balancing urgent financial responses with the necessity of establishing a resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding the challenges posed by a changing climate.